SysAdmin Valley

I needed a quick command to delete a specific file or directory that existing in multiple subdirectories. Here is what I came up with.

find . -name “filename” | xargs rm -rf

Note: files can be a filename or directory name. You can use rm with -rf or without

Here are a few tips on how to get around in NANO

To edit a file type: nano filename
*** if you are using one of the legacy Linux servers, it will say NANO Command Not Found. Use PICO instead

• CTRL-Y – Page Up
• CTRL-V – Page Down
• CTRL-W – Where Is (Search)
• CTRL-K – Cut current line (press multiple times to multiple lines)
• CTRL-U – Paste lines just cut (if you cut multiple lines it will paste them all)
• CTRL-C – Word Count / Line Count / Current Position (will be displayed at bottom of page)
• CTRL-O then ENTER – Save file

• If no changes have been made, you can exit by hitting CTRL-X
• If changes have been made, but you DO NOT want to save, hit CTRL-X then N
• If changes have been made, but you DO WANT to save, hit CTRL-X then Y, then ENTER

Here are a few tips on how to get around in VI

To edit a file type: vi filename

Basic vi commands

• i – Change to insert mode (edit mode)
• CTRL-C – Change to command mode (exit edit mode)
• :w – Save the file being edited (command mode only)
• :wq – Save file and Quit (command mode only)
• :q – Quit (command mode only)
• :q! – Quit without saving (command mode only)
• h/j/k/l Navigation keys if your arrows break (command mode only) (Try pressing scroll-lock first to try and make arrows work)